The first phase of the Community Energy Innovation Prize Collegiate Track has drawn to a close. In the CONCEPT Phase, five teams were awarded $15,000 each, via their associated academic institutions, and will also receive in-kind mentorships they move on to the PROGRESS Phase. Teams were selected for their student-led activities that help ensure the benefits of clean energy are felt in local underserved communities.
These teams will now use their cash prizes in the next phase to implement their planned community activities. Teams will report on their progress in March 2024, where winning teams will compete to receive $20,000 cash and additional mentorship services as a part of the PROGRESS Phase. Read the official announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Collegiate Track CONCEPT phase winners are:
- American Institute of Chemical Engineering and Lamar University, Beaumont, TX
Researching the capabilities of converting landfill gas to renewable natural gas, and implementing findings into university and underserved community-based curricula. - Greener CASA, Tyler, TX
Creating an academia-community partnership to bring free energy audits to underserved communities to promote energy efficiency. - GreenSynergy, Houston, TX
Integrating clean energy into education, utilizing solar panels, fuel cells, and other technologies to foster learning and sustainability. - Rural Stormwater Recovery Innovators, Cedar City, UT
Using smart stormwater mitigation strategies to protect community assets and produce and support cleaner water and clean energy. - Solar Decathlon at Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Designing and building sustainable net-zero homes to address energy challenges, develop a green workforce, and train the next generation of sustainable professionals in Westside Atlanta.
